A number is a number, right? The trouble is, there are so many numbers, and different properties that they can have, that we need some way of grouping, or classifying, them. See how real it all is with this GCSE Maths quiz!
We first learn about numbers as a small child, counting up from 1. These are the ‘counting’ numbers, more properly called NATURAL numbers. Then the concept of zero is introduced, so 0, 1, 2, 3 etcetera become the WHOLE numbers.
As we develop, we become aware of the concept of negative numbers, numbers that start at zero on the number line but go the other way. Whole numbers that can be positive or negative are called INTEGERS.